Youth Climate Activists Hold Rally & Day Of Action At The State House
A day to reflect on the state of Youth Climate Justice Demands from 2019 and where we go from here.
Augusta, Maine 4/13/22 – Across the globe, young people are leading the fight for bold climate action and climate justice. On April 13th, 2022, Maine Youth for Climate Justice, Maine Environmental Education Association Changemakers, Maine Youth Action, Maine Youth Power, and JustME for JustUS, with support from Maine Climate Action Now and the Nature Based Education Consortium, hosted a Youth Day of Action at the Statehouse in Augusta. The purpose of this event was to mobilize and reflect on the state of the Maine Youth for Climate Justice Demands from 2019 and to continue advocating for current youth priorities.
The Day of Action was attended by 95 youth from across the state, in addition to adult allies and legislators. It included a rally, press conference, lobbying, and other opportunities for youth to engage in advocacy and network. Educators also attended with their students, incorporating the Youth Day of Action into their curriculum and experiential learning. In addition, there was an option to participate virtually and take action from home, with youth, adults, educators, and students tuning into the rally livestream and contacting their legislators and other decision makers virtually.
During the rally, youth speakers reflected on Maine Youth for Climate Justice’s demands from three years ago, delivered during a similar Youth Day of Action in April 2019. They spoke about the progress made since those climate justice demands were made, the changes that still need to occur to achieve a just and livable future, and how youth and adult allies can continue to advocate for these demands in the current legislative session, to the Maine Climate Council, and to other decision makers like Governor Mills.
When speaking to the first Demand, that legislators, corporate leaders, and all people in positions of power commit to taking the necessary action to mitigate and adapt to climate change on the time scale that science and justice require, Anna Siegel (she/her), 16 years old, with Maine Youth Action and Maine Youth for Climate Justice, spoke to the implementation of LD 99, the 2021 fossil fuel divestment bill:
“Becoming the first state to mandate fossil fuel divestment through legislation is not the end. We must hold the state and the Maine Public Employees Retirement System accountable and ensure that they implement LD 99 and fully divest the $1.3 billion by 2026, along with providing yearly reports on their progress.”
Audrey Hufnagel (she/her), 16 years old, with Maine Youth for Climate Justice and Maine Youth Action, addressed the second Demand, asking that legislators in Maine publicly recognize that climate change is an issue that is currently happening and exacerbating existing inequalities, both globally and locally. She spoke about the Pine Tree Amendment
"I have seen so much energy from my fellow young people around the Pine Tree Amendment. As we continue this fight, I would encourage even more young people to get involved. This bill is about protecting our future. We will be the ones who will be inheriting the planet and we cannot wait until we are adults to take action to protect it. Together, we will keep fighting for a clean and healthy environment and for a future where we all can thrive.”
Lokotah Sanborn (they/them), Penobscot community organizer and board member of Bomazeen Land Trust, spoke to the third demand, that legislators listen to and lift up marginalized and youth voices in the decision-making process, especially where the future is concerned. Lokotah spoke about LD 1626, An Act Implementing the Recommendations of the Task Force on Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Implementing Act, and LD 906, An Act To Provide Passamaquoddy Tribal Members Access to Clean Drinking Water. Lokotah ended their speech by urging Governor Mills to not veto LD 1626 and LD 906.
“The state of Maine has held steadfast to racism and paternalism, in attempting to dictate to our independent nations what we can and cannot do, claiming somehow that our sovereign nations fall under Maine jurisdiction, a boot heel that has crushed down on our communities for too long. Indigenous and tribal sovereignty is not something that can be granted to the Wabanaki people by the state of Maine. We have always been sovereign, our sovereignty was granted to us by our creator and passed down through our ancestors since time immemorial. Our sovereignty is tied to the relationship we have with the land as well as our responsibility and role as protectors within the rest of creation. The state of Maine since its incorporation in 1820 has sought to erase and undermine this fact time and time again through a series of court cases, legal battles, policy adoptions, and the theft of Indigenous land, land that we view as our relative.”
Kosi Ifeji (they/them), 17 years old, with JustME for JustUS and the Nature Based Education Consortium, addressed the fourth Demand, that there is comprehensive climate education in Maine schools. Kosi spoke to their work supporting LD 1902, Resolve, To Establish a Pilot Program To Encourage Climate Education in Maine Public Schools.
“I understand that my time in the Maine public education system is almost over, and I won’t get to experience this bill come to fruition, but my hope is that all students across the state are equipped with the knowledge needed to deal with one of the biggest issues facing our generation today.”
Amara Ifeji, (she/her) 20 years old, with the Maine Environmental Education Association, and Deb Paredes (she/they), the Climate Action Resident through The Nature Conservancy and Changemakers Residency program, spoke to the fifth Demand, which supports a Green New Deal that prioritizes climate, social, racial, and economic justice, includes enforcement mechanisms, and paves the way to a sustainable society. Amara and Deb called for implementation of the Recommendations of the Maine Climate Council’s Equity Subcommittee
“As a way to begin to address centuries of harm, it is imperative that the state adopts these recommendations and creates the policies that ensure a more just and livable future. Let us have today be the day where these wrongs are rewritten.”
Lastly, Cole Cochrane (he/him), with Maine Youth Action, and Emily Rochford (she/her), Unity College student, with Maine Youth for Climate Justice and Our Power Maine, addressed the sixth Demand, that called for a just transition to 100% renewable energy by 2030. They spoke in support of LD 1634, An Act To Create the Maine Generation Authority, and Amendment B of LD 1959: An Act To Ensure Transmission and Distribution Utility Accountability. Emily stated:
“Our future depends on the action we take today and that action must be bold, just and effective in addressing both the energy needs of our communities and our right to a healthy planet and livable future. There are two concrete and effective means to meet these needs today in our legislature: LD 1634, and Amendment B of LD 1959. We have seen the victory in the house passing LD 1634 and we should absolutely celebrate that victory, but we cannot be satisfied. Our electric utilities are the backbone of the energy sector and without their total commitment and accountability, we cannot achieve a future of renewable energy.”
Senator Chloe Maxmin showed her support from inside the State House, sending a message uplifting the importance of youth voices:
“I’m so excited that you are all here. It’s so important that the folks making decisions inside this building are hearing from you because you have the moral clarity that we need here. It’s such an honor to fight alongside all of you, and I can’t wait to see all that we’ll accomplish. Thank you for all you do!”
Maine Youth for Climate Justice is a coalition of 400 youth from all over Maine who fight for bold climate action, a just transition, and a livable future. Our goal is to create a space for youth who are concerned about the climate crisis to connect, be in community, and make change. Acknowledging that the climate crisis is rooted in systemic forms of oppression, and disproportionately impacts marginalized communities, MYCJ aims to center the voices of folks who have been historically excluded from narratives around climate activism, in addition to the political conversation.
